In the age of sail masts were required to support the sails, and lookouts were posted on them; with the advent of engine-powered warships masts were retained and used for observation and to spot fall of shot. The purpose of the lattice structure was to make the posts less vulnerable to shells from enemy ships, and to better absorb the shock caused by firing heavy guns, isolating the delicate fire control equipment (rangefinders, etc.) mounted on the mast tops. However, the masts were found to be easily damaged by the inclement weather experienced at sea by naval ships during typhoons and hurricanes: the USS Michigan‍ '​s mast was bent right down to the deck by such a storm in 1918. As the caliber and range of ships' guns increased, heavier rangefinders were required. Additionally, the guns and powerful engines created shock and vibrations. Lattice masts were phased out in favor of more rigid tripod masts.

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Use in the United States Navy

The [[South Carolina-class battleship #REDIRECTmw:Help:Magic words#OtherThis page is a soft redirect.South Carolina-class]] battleships were the first class of American battleships to feature lattice masts,[1] which were to become a standard fixture on all American battleships, and many cruiser classes.[2] Older vessels, including the first modern American battleship Indiana, were modernized with lattice masts during the period.[3]

In January 1918, the lattice mast of the battleship USS Michigan collapsed in a severe storm; the heavy seas put excessive stress on the mast and the weight of the fire control equipment caused the mast to fail at the narrowest point. The incident spurred an investigation by the Bureau of Construction and Repair, which found that the collapse was in part due to the fact that the mast had been lengthened, with a new section spliced in where the mast broke. In addition, fragments from a recent explosion in one of the ship's Script error: No such module "convert". guns had damaged the mast, and the damage had not been adequately repaired. Nevertheless, the investigation also found that the mast aboard the battleship Connecticut also showed signs of buckling. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the Navy repeatedly found evidence of structural problems in the masts, in large part due to the corrosive effects of funnel gases.[4]

At the same time as the Michigan incident, US Navy officers were also gaining experience with British tripod masts for the first time while serving with the Grand Fleet during World War I. Unlike lattice masts, the heavier tripods did not suffer from vibration when steaming at high speed, and they were not as susceptible to shock from gunfire,[4] which caused the lattice masts to whip from the concussion.[5]